Chapter 210 — Revolution III
6 min read ·
[Academy Forum - Official Council Announcement]
The notification appeared simultaneously on every student’s watch, the official Council channel broadcasting to all enrolled Academy members.
[OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: FUNDAMENTAL POLICY CHANGES - EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY]
Students across campus stopped mid-conversation, mid-meal and mid-training to read.
The announcement was extensive, detailed and revolutionary.
RESOURCE ACCESS REFORM:
- All skills and weapon arts (excluding SS-rank) now available to all students regardless of rank or background.
- Top 20 students per year eligible for SS-rank weapon art instruction.
- All prerequisites for weapon arts will be publicly documented.
- Professor denial of qualified students subject to Headmaster review.
PROFESSOR INCENTIVE SYSTEM:
- Merit-based compensation for teaching performance.
- High-performing educators receive Aura potions and access to advanced skills.
- Funding redirected from club budgets to educational excellence
CLUB FUNDING SUSPENSION:
- All Academy funding to student clubs terminated immediately.
- Clubs may seek independent or family sponsorship.
- Academy resources are reserved for educational purposes
JUSTICE SYSTEM OVERHAUL:
- All cases of violence, suppression, or bullying against commoners from past three years under review.
- Punishments ranging from suspension to expulsion based on severity.
- President Elizabeth Murdock personally overseeing review process
COMBAT TRAINING INITIATIVE:
- Regular supervised excursions to Academy forest for practical beast combat experience.
- All classes participating under professor supervision.
- Proposal pending Headmaster approval for safety protocols
NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS:
Ariana Sterling (First Year).
Edrin Kael (First Year).
Fiona Sigurd (First Year).
Victoria White (First Year).
At the bottom, in bold text:
BY ORDER OF VICE PRESIDENT DAMIAN VALCOR
The Academy... exploded!
****
[Fourth Year Dormitories - Commoner Section]
An older student with grey hair sat staring at his device, tears running down his weathered face.
"We should have been younger..."
His friend looked over, seeing the same announcement, understanding immediately.
"Four years. We survived four years of this corrupt system. Worked twice as hard for half the resources. Signed contracts with Noble families just to access basic skills."
He laughed bitterly.
"And now, right before graduation, everything changes. The next generation gets what we fought for and never received."
Another fourth-year commoner joined them, his expression mixing joy and regret.
"At least it’s changing. At least the ones coming after us won’t suffer what we did. That’s... that’s something."
They sat together in silence, mourning what they’d lost while celebrating what others would gain.
****
[Third Year Dormitories - Commoner Section]
Chaos erupted as students read the announcement, their reactions explosive and immediate.
"IS THIS REAL?!"
"IT’S FROM THE OFFICIAL COUNCIL CHANNEL! IT HAS TO BE REAL!"
"WE CAN ACTUALLY LEARN ADVANCED TECHNIQUES WITHOUT SELLING OURSELVES TO NOBLE FAMILIES?!"
A group of third-years who’d signed subordinate contracts were frantically pulling out their agreements, reading the fine print with desperate hope.
"My contract says I owe three years of service after graduation..."
"Mine requires me to hand over any discoveries or skills I develop..."
"I gave them rights to my family’s land as collateral..."
One student stood on a table, shouting over the noise.
"WE CAN BREAK THESE CONTRACTS! IF THE ACADEMY IS GIVING US ACCESS TO RESOURCES, WE DON’T NEED NOBLE SPONSORSHIP ANYMORE!"
The room fell silent as that realization hit.
Then erupted into even louder celebration.
****
[First Year Dormitories - Commoner Section]
The youngest students were literally jumping with joy, some crying and others laughing hysterically.
"I thought I’d have to join a Noble family just to learn decent weapon arts!"
"My sister graduated two years ago and became someone’s subordinate because she had no choice! But I won’t have to!"
"Is this a dream? Someone pinch me!"
A girl did pinch her friend, who yelped.
"OW! I DIDN’T ACTUALLY MEAN – Wait, it’s real! THIS IS ACTUALLY REAL!"
They collapsed together laughing, the tension and fear they’d carried since enrollment finally releasing.
****
[Noble Section - Various Years]
The reaction among Noble students was far more mixed.
"..."
Some sat in stunned silence, processing the implications.
Others were already making calls to their families, voices rising with anger and panic.
"Father, you need to see what just happened–"
"The contracts are worthless if students can access resources without us–"
"Our entire recruitment strategy just collapsed–"
Several Nobles who’d recently signed promising commoners to subordinate agreements were frantically trying to reach those students, finding their calls ignored or blocked.
****
[Academy Courtyard - One Hour After Announcement]
Damian stood in the central courtyard, having anticipated this exact situation.
Hundreds of students – mostly third-years – had gathered, all holding contract documents, all demanding answers about whether they were truly free.
Damian raised his voice, Aura amplification making his words carry clearly.
"All subordinate contracts signed between students are hereby declared null and void."
The crowd went completely silent.
"Appropriate compensation will be calculated based on resources already provided by Noble families. Students who received benefits will have five years after graduation to repay the equivalent value."
He looked across the assembled faces, his crimson eyes showing no mercy.
"And if any Noble family attempts to create problems, threaten students, or enforce invalid contracts through coercion, those students will be immediately expelled from the Academy."
A pause as that sank in.
"Am I clear?"
"YES!"
The roar of approval from hundreds of commoner students was deafening.
Suddenly the chaos that had gripped the student body ended, replaced by something approaching religious fervor.
Students began calling out to Damian, their voices overlapping.
"Thank you, Damian!"
"You saved us!"
"GODFATHER! THANK YOU, GODFATHER!"
The term spread like wildfire – Godfather, the title that had started in the orphanages of Tranquil City, now being adopted by Academy commoners who saw Damian as their protector and liberator.
Damian’s eye twitched with annoyance, but he said nothing, just turned and walked away while the chanting continued behind him.
’This is ridiculous. I’m just a teenager in this life, why are you all acting like I’m way older than you?! Do you think you are the same as those children?!’
****
[Professor Staff Room - Shortly After Announcement]
The faculty lounge was in absolute chaos, professors shouting over each other, some celebrating, others outraged.
Professor Admond Ashford slammed his fist on a table, his grey eyes blazing with fury.
"How DARE a commoner student order us about! Who does he think he is, threatening us with consequences if we don’t teach?!"
Several other Noble-aligned professors voiced agreement, their faces showing similar outrage.
Professor Nathan Greaves sat in the corner, his A rank presence barely containing his emotions.
His fists were clenched so hard they shook, but his face showed something the angry professors were missing: hope.
’Finally! After years of being trapped in this corrupt system, commoner professors can actually earn the resources we deserve!
Finally, our hard work teaching students will be rewarded instead of being taken for granted!’
Other commoner professors showed similar reactions – carefully controlled joy mixed with decades of accumulated frustration finally finding release.
Professor Richard Evergreen stood with a group of more moderate faculty members, discussing the changes with Seraphina nearby and Salazar reading through the announcement again with his characteristic eccentric energy.
Nathan Brock shook his bald head with something approaching admiration.
"This madman... he’s not just a freak with physical capabilities. Look at him using his brain. He’s checkmated everyone.
All of us feel offended by the tone, but he’s practically sending us massive benefits while making it look like demands!"
Professor Vivian Verratoux nodded, her pink hair bouncing.
"The incentive system is brilliant. We get paid more for actually teaching well. We get access to advanced skills we could never afford before. All we have to do is our actual job."